Colorado Avalanche
Who Are the NHL’s Top-Five Forwards Right Now (2024-25)?
Yesterday, the NHL listed the top five NHL forwards for fantasy hockey. In an analysis, was anyone left off the list who shouldn’t have been?
Yesterday, NHL.com ranked the NHL’s top-five forwards for their fantasy hockey site. The following players were listed. Interestingly, while there are few surprises, there is one. In this post, I’m assuming a correlation between the fantasy hockey world and live, on-ice hockey. As such, I want to analyze the list to corroborate those players who made it and suggest why at least one other prominent name might have been missed.
The NHL.com’s List of Top Forwards for Fantasy Hockey
The NHL’s list goes like this:
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): McDavid is an unstoppable force who usually leads the league in points and goals.
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): MacKinnon plays an elite two-way game with consistent offensive production and leadership.
- Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers): Draisaitl is McDavid’s perfect partner. He’s a goal-scoring machine with elite vision. He’s also known as one of the best passers in the entire NHL.
- Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): Kucherov is consistently among the NHL’s top scorers. He’s an elite playmaker who can light it up as a power-play presence.
- Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils): Hughes is quickly rising up the list of top NHL forwards. He plays a lethal offensive game with breakout potential this season.
NHL Trade Talks’ Analysis of the Top 5 Forwards
The top four players in this fantasy hockey ranking are no surprise. Connor McDavid (Oilers) sits at the top, and for good reason. McDavid, the NHL’s perennial top scorer, is impressive. He dominates all categories. His elite speed, playmaking, and goal-scoring make him a hockey force.
Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) ranks second. This makes sense, given his well-rounded skill set. MacKinnon combines speed, power, and playmaking ability. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. His production has been consistently high this season, and he leads the NHL in both assists and points. He’s the centerpiece of Colorado’s offense.
Ranked third, Leon Draisaitl (Oilers) is McDavid’s perfect partner. While McDavid is often the focal point, Draisaitl is ever as dangerous. He benefits because he plays alongside McDavid, but even if he did not, he’d be a dynamic goal-scorer. He possesses incredible on-ice vision. His individual skillset makes him one of the most productive forwards in hockey. His deadly shot and playmaking ability allow him to pile up the points.
Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) holds the fourth spot. Who can argue? He has the consistency and ability to dominate. Kucherov is a top-tier playmaker, and his power-play presence is a considerable asset as a point producer. He’s a beast on special teams. His team’s offensive success is closely tied to his play, which has been the case season after season.
Auston Matthews Is a Surprising Omission from the NHL’s List
Auston Matthews‘ omission is the most glaring surprise on the NHL’s list. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain was also named Team USA’s captain in the 4-Nations Faceoff. Although he’s returning from time off this season with an injury, it seems he’d get more love from the NHL’s panel. It’s a surprise that he’s absent from the top five.
Matthews has the ability to score goals at an elite pace. While he’s having a quieter season (blame it on the injury) by his standards, his goal-scoring and offensive upside still make him a standout. His absence from this list might be due to factors like injury concerns or fluctuations in his production, but he’s still one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.
Related: Who Are the NHL’s Best Goalies Right Now?
More News
